Short answer: a good gift for a man at around $350 is one thing he will wear every week, not a gadget he will try once. The Alpaca Rittervest is $349, ships free in the US and can be exchanged for another size for 30 days, so the price buys a real garment and a safe gift. Here is how I would think about spending that much, including when not to buy ours.

I own Ritter, so weigh this accordingly. People ask me for a gift in this range for a husband, a father or a brother, and the same few questions come up.

What $350 should buy

• Something he will use weekly. Clothing he can wear to work, on a weekend or while travelling beats a one-off gadget.
• Something made well. At this price you should expect good materials and a construction that holds its shape, not a logo on a thin fabric.
• Something he would not buy for himself. Most men replace basics when they wear out. A step up from the basics is what makes it a gift.
• Something that can be exchanged. Size is the main way clothing gifts go wrong, so check the exchange policy before you buy anywhere.

Why a vest works at this price

A vest is the layer many men do not own and quietly want. It sits over a shirt or a sweater, goes under a blazer and does not depend on a trend. A plain one with no logo suits a man who dislikes being a billboard. Our Alpaca Rittervest is $349, which sits just under the $350 mark many gift budgets use.

Sizing it without asking him

Sizes run S to XXXL. Check the jacket size in a coat of his, or ask someone close to him. Exchanges are free for 30 days in the US, and the recipient can swap the size without you being involved.

When a vest is the wrong gift

If he already wears a vest daily, or lives somewhere warm all year, pick something else. A vest also suits a man who dresses in layers more than one who wears a T-shirt in every season. More gift guides: what to get a man who has everything, gifts for the dad who wears vests and what to give your boss.

About the Alpaca Rittervest

It is a felted knit made in small batches in Peru, 34% alpaca, 33% merino and 33% nylon. It has a plain full-zip front, two hidden zip pockets at the hip and no logo, and it comes in eight colours. Shipping is free in the US, and returns and size exchanges are free for 30 days.

Questions I get asked

Is $349 a good price for a gift? It is a firm, considered gift rather than a casual one. It suits a spouse, a parent or a close friend, or a group gift from a team.

Can he exchange it? Yes. Size exchanges and returns are free for 30 days in the US.

Is it pure alpaca? No. It is 34% alpaca, 33% merino and 33% nylon.

If you want to see the one I make, the Alpaca Rittervest is the plain one.